Portrait of Henrica Van Eck 1686; Signed Gerrit Alberts (1663-1757)

Henrica van Eck (1670-1756) has been depicted three-quarter length and standing beside a fountain with a lake in the distance. Her expensive silk dress is indicative of her wealth and she is enveloped in a flowing wrap that is held in a place by a large jeweled brooch clasp. The ensemble includes lace on her cuffs and across her neckline that has been painstakingly detailed and is utterly beautiful. Henrica was born in Zaltbommel and died in Arnhem on 14th September 1756.

The modelling and handling of the arms and hands is exemplary and the treatment of the drapery and the artist’s mastery of colour explains his appeal to individuals who sought to increase their ‘brand’ through images. This large portrait has been signed GA F (Gerrit Alberts Fecit or “painted”) bottom left and was painted in 1686, along with a pendant portrait of her husband, Matthew Lambertus van Eck (1664-1708), to commemorate their marriage. Matthew’s portrait depicts him dressed in a red robe with lace cuffs and lace cravat, standing beside a large classical urn in an outdoor setting. His long wavy hair falls on his shoulders and his left arm is tucked into his robe.

Gerrit Alberts (1663-1757) was a prolific portrait painter in his native Nimeguen, which is a municipality and a city in the Dutch province of Gelderland. His style was similar to Godfrey Kneller and was notable for its good drawing and that Dutch attention to detail.

Provenance: Collection of F.W.L. de Beaufort

Literature: Dutch Art History Yearbook 1970, p. 86 no. 8 and Fig. 2.

Measurements: Height 142cm, Width 116cm framed (Height 56”, Width 45.5” framed)

Much more info about this item at: www.titanfineart.com

In a market saturated with available paintings, Titan Fine Art offers a distinct advantage: we sift through thousands of works to provide a specially curated selection. Each piece is meticulously chosen based on technical merit, provenance, and decorative appeal, ensuring our clients view only the finest examples of British and European art.

With over 20 years of expertise and 1,000+ works placed with collectors and institutions, we are one of the most prolific specialists in 17th and 18th-century portraiture. We combine a scholarly approach with museum-level rigor to replace the uncertainty of the open market with absolute confidence.

Why Buy From Titan Fine Art?

• Expertly Curated Selection

We act as your expert eye, selecting only high-quality works that offer genuine historical and artistic value.

• Museum-Level Research

Each portrait is supported by extensive academic research, often exceeding 40 hours, to establish attribution, sitter identity, and historical context.

• Professional Conservation

All paintings are carefully cleaned and stabilised by professional conservators, and are presented ready to hang.

• Transparent Pricing

No buyer’s premium or hidden fees—unlike auction houses, where additional costs can add 25–35%.

• Export Pricing Advantage

Reduced pricing is available for works exported outside the UK.

• Specialist Global Shipping

We manage the entire process, including custom crating, export documentation, and fully tracked delivery worldwide.

• Buy with Confidence

A 7-day return policy and the option to pay in GBP, USD, or EUR for convenience and transparency.

• Original Period Frames

Many works retain their original carved and gilded frames, which are works of art in their own right and enhance both historical authenticity and decorative impact.

• Personal Advisory Service

We work directly with collectors and interior designers, offering guidance on selection, scale, and placement—including bespoke room mock-ups on request.

Subscribe to our monthly 'new item alert' to be the first to hear about new works